Queens' School Under-16s team coach Kate Wilding praised the quality of her players after they won the National Cup

Team spirit and technical quality were the key ingredients to Queens' School Under-16 girls retaining their National Cup title, according to team coach Kate Wilding.

Queens' lifted the prestigious trophy for the second year running last week after beating Heckmondwike Grammar School Academy 4-2 in a dramatic final, which was played at Coventry City's Ricoh Arena.

The girls, who were supported by a coach-load of 70-odd supporters, had fallen behind in the match but kept but their nerve and turned the game on its head with goals from Cassandra Chase and Julia Waller.

Heckmondwike hit back again in the second period to make it 2-2 but goals in the final ten minutes from Jordan Littleboy and Lilly Clark ensured the trophy stayed with Queens'.

“These girls have been together now for five years and they have a great team spirit”, said Wilding, who has coached the team since they first came together.

Wilding added: “It was a close game but when things got tight at the end we had just that extra bit of quality that made the difference.”

It was also the second year running that Littleboy, the team captain, rose to the occasion after she scored in the National Cup final last year too.

That day her hat-trick helped Queens' to a 5-0 rout over Laurence Jackson School and the skipper was in excellent form again this time round.

“Jordan led by example,” Wilding said. “She played very well, as did Lilly Clark on the right wing and Clarisse Patel who ended up playing all over the place.”

The girls, who are unbeaten this season, will now be hoping to complete another cup double by retaining their County Cup title as well. Queens' take on Parmiter's School tomorrow (Saturday) in the tournament semi-final.

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